Band Update: 4-24-2022

Contents:

  • From the Directors
    • AMAZING Large Group Festival Performances!!
    • BIG Week Ahead: Pancake Dinner, Night of Jazz and Percussion, State Solo and Ensemble, and Color Guard Auditions!
    • Seniors:  Monday is the last day to submit the Doc Roberts Scholarship Application
    • Finishing the year:  Looking ahead to Concert on the Lawn, Class Day, and Graduation.
    • End of year Awards:  Lettering (all grades) and Senior Awards.
    • 4th quarter in the BVN Band
  • Pancake Dinner and our Night of Jazz and Percussion This Wednesday!
    •  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Help us spread the word!  Flyer 1, Flyer 2, Flyer 3
    • Silent Auction is in Support of our Dr. Roberts Memorial Scholarship Fund
    • Pancake Dinner FUNdraiser for support of ALL THINGS BAND
    • 5-7 PM Pancake Dinner/Silent Auction, then 7 PM Jazz and Percussion Extravaganza Concert!
  • State Solo and Ensemble Schedule
  • The Next Two Weeks Ahead:  3/25-3/30/22 and 5/2-5/6/22
  • Summer Camps
  • BVN Band Calendar
  • Expanding your Musical Horizons!  Lettering, Lessons, Honor Bands!

From the Directors

Since I was unable to write a Band Update last week, this congrats is a bit late, but no less heartfelt…. Mr. Wagoner and I are SO proud of our Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble Performances at their respective State Large Group Festivals over the past 2 weeks!  Our Concert Band gave a wonderful performance and had a PHENOMENAL Clinic with Dr. Tom Davoren last week on Thursday, earning top ratings.  Our Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble gave SPECTACULAR performances at the KSHSAA State Festival on Wednesday 4/13, with Symphonic earning “Outstanding” ratings (II) and Wind Ensemble earning “Superior” ratings (I).  All three groups prepared challenging music in an abbreviated preparation schedule, achieving/performing at a very high level in a remarkably short time.  AMAZING!!

As we continue riding the rocket ship that is fourth quarter, this week ahead is another exciting one (!!) featuring the return of one of our BEST band traditions – The Pancake Dinner, the start of a new tradition – the Night of Jazz and Percussion (which I think is going to turn into a favorite!), State Solo and Ensemble Festival, and Color Guard Auditions.   Make sure to read all the details below!

Seniors:  REMINDER that Monday, 4/25, 4 PM is the deadline to submit the Doc Roberts Memorial Scholarship Application.

While our focus needs to be on the incredible week in front of us, make sure that these May events are starting to edge onto your radars:

  • Wednesday, May 11th:  BVN Band Banquet (5-6 PM), Awards (6-6:30 PM), and Concert on the Lawn (6:30 – 8 PM)
  • Class Day Ceremony (a wonderful ceremony celebrating all of our Graduating Seniors) on Friday, May 20th.  Please note that the Orchestra will perform at this event (the band will perform at Graduation)
  • BVN Graduation on Sunday, May 22nd.  All 9th-11th grade members of the band perform at this event!
  • Percussionists:  Auditions for the 22-23 BVN Drumline are also in May.  Mr. B has shared details…

End of year Band Awards:

  • LETTERING:  All Band Students are eligible to letter in Band.  Applications due this week.  CLICK HERE For details.
  • Senior Awards:  The Band Gives several awards to high achieving seniors.  Several of these awards are determined by student vote, which will be completed in classes this week.  STUDENTS:  Think about Seniors who have made a difference in your band life by their commitment to our community, their citizenship, and their music.
  • All Awards are announced at the Band Banquet Awards Ceremony just before Concert on the Lawn.

April and May are Busy and FLY by – Please read, print and hang on your fridge (if you haven’t already), this summary of the Fourth Quarter in the BVN Band.

We’re right in the thick of the “push” to the end of the year.  The students are handling this with poise and fantastic performances.  With each event that passes, I have more fun and am more proud of the students.  Thanks, as always, for your careful reading of the update and support of all things BAND!

Musically yours,
Mr. Freeman and Mr. Wagoner

BVN Band Pancake Dinner and Silent Auction – This Wednesday!

  • Wednesday, April 27th, 5-7 PM Pancake Dinner/Silent Auction, then 7 PM Night of Jazz and Percussion Concert!!
  • Ticket Pre-Sales for the Pancake Dinner are now complete, but anyone and everyone can still join us – tickets are $8 at the door!
  • During the pancake dinner, we will also hold our Silent Auction is in Support of our Dr. Roberts Memorial Scholarship Fund – helping us to preserve this scholarship for perpetuity, which is awarded to 1-3 BVN Band Seniors each year.
    • If you or your company has an item(s), expertise, service, gift cards, or $$  you would like to donate, please contact Paula Nichols at [email protected] , topic BVN BAND.
  • This is a Long-Standing Tradition (28 years I think) at BVN, and is one of our most FUN nights of the year!  Eat pancakes, hear GREAT music from our Band and Orchestra Students during dinner, then go to a FANTASTIC Night of Jazz and Percussion in the PAC!!  We hope that ALL Band Families will plan to attend (as well as all of your neighbors, relatives, friends, casual acquaintances, and any random nice person you want to invite!!)
  • Help us spread the word!  The more people who attend, the more fun the night is!!  Blow up Social Media!!!

State Solo and Ensemble Festival – Saturday 4/30/22

  • CLICK HERE for the BVN Band Schedule and Details
  • The festival is at Washburn-Rural High School just Outside of Topeka
  • Make sure to read, complete, and submit the second page of the document (linked above) – Transportation details. If you think you will need school transport, the sooner we know, the better!!

The Next Two Weeks Ahead in the Band: 3/25-3/30/22 and 5/2-5/7/22

CLICK HERE for the BVN Bell Schedule and Block Day Rotation

Monday, 4/25

  • Odd Block Day
  • Spread the word about the Pancake Dinner and Night of Jazz and Percussion!
  • Doc Roberts Scholarship Applications due by 4 PM
  • Mustang Band Boosters Board Meeting via Zoom, 7-8 PM.  Everyone is welcome to join the zoom.  Email Mr. Freeman for the link.

Tuesday, 4/26

  • Even Block Day with Late Start
  • Clarinet Choir – your ONE rehearsal for State during AST Today!
  • Color Guard Try-Out Clinic #1:  6:30 – 8 PM in the Main Gym
  • Percussion:  Dress rehearsal for the Night of Percussion Concert, 6-7:30 in the PAC

Wednesday, 4/27:

  • Odd Block Day
  • BVN Band – 28th Annual Pancake Dinner and Silent Auction, 5 – 7 PM in the Commons!
  • BVN Band – 1st Annual Night of Percussion and Jazz Concert, 7 PM in the PAC!
  • Color Guard Try-Out Clinic #2:  6:30 – 8 PM in the Main Gym

Thursday 4/28:

  • Even Block Day with Late Start
  • Color Guard Try-Out Clinic #3:  6:30 – 8 PM in the Main Gym

Friday 4/29:

  • TRADITIONAL schedule with North Time
  • Band Lettering Applications Due
  • Color Guard Auditions, 3:30 – 5 PM in the Main Gym
  • BVN Spring Play – “Puffs” – Opening Night!

Saturday 4/30:

5/2-5/7/22

Monday, 5/2

  • Odd Block Day
  • AP Testing.

Tuesday, 5/3

  • Even Block Day with Late Start
  • AP Testing

Wednesday, 5/4:

  • Odd Block Day
  • AP Testing

Thursday 5/5:

  • Even Block Day with Late Start
  • AP Testing

Friday 5/6:

  • TRADITIONAL schedule with North Time
  • AP Testing

SUMMER CAMPS!!

Summer music camps are AMAZING Experiences, and highly recommended for any student who wants to expand their musical horizons.  At these camps, you’ll join students with similar interests and passion for music from across the country!  You will make lifelong friendships and see marked improvements in your musical skills… and the camps are FUN!

A non-exhaustive, but fairly thorough list of camps to consider:

NATIONAL CAMPS

  • HIGHLY Recommended:  the MFA Summer Symposium at Ball State University.  This one is INCREDIBLE.
    • It includes Marching Band, Color Guard, Percussion, Drum Major, and Music production tracks, as well as a weekend leadership academy.
    • https://camp.musicforall.org/
  • Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
  • Interlochen Summer Arts Camp
  • Note:  Blue Lake and Interlochen are a couple of the best in the world, but are full summer commitments with pretty strict admission requirements.

KANSAS & MISSOURI CAMPS

MIDWESTERN U.S. CAMPS
UARK Music Camp https://cms.uark.edu/

BVN BAND CALENDAR

Expanding your Musical Horizons!

During the School year, there will be many AMAZING opportunities to make music outside the walls of BVN. Honor Bands, Private Lessons, and much more can and will be highlights of your year, and memories that will last forever.

PRIVATE LESSONS are HIGHLY recommended!  Private lessons help students unlock skills and work on specific techniques that will greatly enhance their playing!  Students who wish to be in the BVN Wind Ensemble, or who want to go for honor bands, take solos to festivals, etc should seriously consider private lessons.  We are lucky to have many AMAZING private instructors in the area – just email Mr. Freeman or Mr. Wagoner for suggestions.

Fountain City Youth Brass Band – an incomparably awesome opportunity!!

The Fountain City Youth Brass Bands are INCREDIBLE.  A premiere organization – one of the best anywhere – and a phenomenal experience for brass and percussion students.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Click here for more info.

Honor Bands

The First honor band experience will be auditions for the ECKMEA District Honor Bands (all band students are eligible), and the Kansas Sousa Honor Band (for 9th Graders).  These are FANTASTIC experiences and well worth the effort to audition.  HIGHLY recommended for all students.

Please find all details of these and much more on our Extra Musical Experiences Webpage.
Audition Materials can be found on the Student Resources Login Page of the website.  Students should know the password.

LETTERING IN BAND

Students can earn a varsity letter in band, just like in any sport.  Letters are awarded to students who go above and beyond what it takes to earn the band grade.  Volunteering for pep bands, serving as a member of leadership, taking private lessons, participating in FCYBB and/or the KC Youth Symphony, performing at church, and on and on… all of these and much more can qualify for lettering points.  CLICK HERE for lettering details. 

First year letter winners receive the Chenille Letter Award, and 2nd/3rd/4th year winners get pins to add to the letter.